Family of boy who died on Samoa-bound flight call for better emergency procedures

The boy suffered a severe asthma attack on a Samoa Airways flight from Auckland to Samoa on Boxing Day. Photo / Samoa Airways

Half an hour after a flight from Auckland to Samoa took off, a boy screamed out that he felt like he was going to die.

Just over three hours later and about 20 minutes before the aircraft landed, the 9-year-old would be dead.

Now his family are calling on the airline, Samoa Airways, to reveal what its protocols are when it comes to mid-air emergencies and exactly what warrants an aircraft making an emergency landing or turning back.

A woman speaking on behalf of the family told theHeraldthe youngster suffered a severe asthma attack not long into the OL732 Boxing Day journey.

"There's some concern by the family with the accountability so that it doesn't happen to anyone else. The main thing is to push them to review their procedures."

Samoa Airways has not responded to requests for comment in relation to its emergency protocols.

EXPERTS SAY THERE WAS TIME TO DIVERT - OR TURN BACK

Aviation New Zealand Bill MacGregor acknowledged that there were limited places in the Pacific region that an emergency landing could be made.

"I don't know what the protocols are for that particular airline, but normally if you've got a major medical emergency and there is a possibility to divert to a place which has a medical facility then you would take that opportunity.

MacGregor said each airline had its own protocols, but acknowledged that an emergency landing was very much an option.

"It sounds like if you were only 30 minutes out, a return to Auckland would've been on.

"Any further on, [it] is a toss-up between Niue and Tonga - they would've been the closest and they're the best part of three hours into it.

"They're still opportunities you could've taken to divert. Another one may have been a diversion into Suva (in Fiji).''

A pilot for Air New Zealand, who asked to remain anonymous, said inflight medical events were common especially on long haul flights.

After initial assessment is made by flight attendants, he said, a call is put out for any passengers who may be doctors or nurses.

A 9yr old boy died on a Samoa Airways flight from Auckland to Samoa on Boxing Day. Photo / Samoa Airways

They then seek advice from MEDLINK, a global response centre for inflight medical assistance and advice, via satellite phone.

"They quickly assess the passenger's symptoms, advise the administration of drugs from the onboard physician's kit and recommend whether to land as soon as possible, if required.